The United States is deeply troubled by reports that the Secretary General
of the Movement for Democratic Change Tendai Biti has been arrested upon
his return to Zimbabwe. The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC),
African Union, and the United Nations have all called for an end to
intimidation and violence so as to allow for a free and fair democratic
process. The continued use of state-sponsored violence in Zimbabwe and the
regime's actions, including unwarranted arrests of opposition figures, are
clear signs that the regime has rejected these calls by the region and the
international community, and is in clear violation of SADC's election
principles. We believe the time has come for the United Nations Security
Council to take up immediately the issue to prevent further deterioration
of the region's humanitarian and security situation.